Mary - South Sudan

Becoming a mum is an event to celebrate but when you live in Yambio, South Sudan - not far from the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo - life is far from easy.

This area, where Mary lives, is affected by violent conflict and displacement, and her country is one where water and sanitation-related diseases are among the top killers of children under five, even though they are completely preventable.

Despite this Mary has reasons to smile. “I hope it would be a girl,” she says giggling. Mary and thousands of mums just like her are getting support to make sure they’re healthy, happy and strong.

Through a network of local volunteers we’re going house-to-house helping people improve their health, sanitation and hygiene practices and we’re also building and repairing boreholes so they have safe access to clean drinking water. Photo: IFRC/Corrie Butler.